He looked confused but what he didn’t look was angry. Most people, if they felt like their people had been insulted would immediately come to their defense, Chris didn’t do that. Despite him having the whole pretty boy, clean-cut look about him, there was a look in his eyes that let me know he had that dawg in him.
“Give me your thoughts on that because it’s been plaguing me for real since I took it. I don’t enjoy owing a man.”
“It’s much better if I let you talk to a professional about it. All I’m saying is, whatever amount they gave you, they're either gonna get it back twice with fees for securing your deal or they’re gonna hold that shit over your head. I like to think the worst of people when it comes to money they give that freely.”
“Fuck.” He was nodding like I’d just affirmed what he’d been thinking and ran his hand over his waves.
“Listen, I’m not trying to sway you, but my agents have an entire team of people they can help set you up with. One thing they’re gonna do is be honest with you about what you can expect and how you can improve your earning potential on and off the field. They're not just talking bullshit either.”
“You’re with B and B, right?”
“Yeah, I feel like ten of us are, even Coach Stew. They’re headquartered here in town so if nothing else just reach out to them and get a consultation. Can’t hurt.” I shrugged it off but really I was getting antsy because something about this deal he had with his people was rubbing me wrong. I was going to look more into Chris’ background because the last thing I wanted him out here doing was moving stupid so that we had distractions this year. My ass was enough of one, the entire running back core couldn’t be fucking up the season before it started.”
“Good looking, will you send—”
I pressed the button and held it up for him to see. “Already dropped their contact out to you and let them know you might be reaching out. They won’t pressure you but since one owner is married to Jacoby Grayson and the other is like their family, I doubt they’d mind talking to you off the record.”
“Shit, you weren’t just talking when you said like family, huh?” Chris was smirking but I could see the relief in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. I’d always been a hungry player because success fueled me. It wasn’t the type of desire to succeed that was born out of poverty and desperation but the desire to continue on the legacy of a man that our family had lost too soon. But the hunger in Chris’ eyes was one that looked as though he couldn’t go back if this didn’t work out. So I was damn sure going to do what I could to make sure that it did.
“Nah I wasn’t. Speaking of, I’ll be training with two of the fellas Anthony and Marcel until camp officially starts. We lock in our schedules for the week to keep each other accountable. I’ll make sure that you get added on that way you aren’t just sitting around stressing out.”
“I appreciate that shit for real, Money. Good lookin’.” He reached across the table to dap me up and I returned it without hesitation.
“You win, we all win. It’s as simple as that.”
“For everybody?”
“Nah, but for the ones who matter it is.”
He nodded his understanding as he slipped his phone back in his pocket. I glanced at my watch and saw it was getting late and the last thing I wanted was to get caught in work traffic and it took me even longer to get home.
“I’m about to head out. Gotta get home and see my baby girl.”
“Congratulations on that. My last girl tried to pin a baby on me and it didn’t come out until I was attached as a muthafucka. So, yeah…I can’t fault you for how you were moving.”
I had mixed emotions about what he said. He’d let me know that he’d heard the rumors and was still giving me a chance. But I didn’t like someone knowing my personal business enough to have an opinion about me.
“I’m just doing what’s right. No matter the situation with the mother, even though mine doesn’t have one,” my mind stuttered over those words because I felt like she actually did. “But this job won’t ever be more important than her. I can tell by how you sound that you're feeling some sorta way about your ex. Don’t let somebody else being a piece of shit control how you live your life. Especially not in this sport. People always have their hand out or are looking at you as a come-up. Protect yourself but don’t let them change who you are.”
“That’s how you moved on from this the way you have?”
He was looking for me to offer him platitudes I didn’t feel, despite the good advice I’d provided. Instead of being a liar and not being true to who I was, I gave him honesty instead.
“Nah, my head was fucked up for a minute, but it’s a lot going on behind the scenes that people don’t see. I’m getting back to who I was because I don’t like the person I was turning into. Letting someone alter your personality with their actions only hurts you in the end. They off doing them unbothered by it.”
“At least until karma comes for her due.”
I had to grin cause he wasn’t wrong. “Facts. But let’s roll. I ain’t trying to get hung up in traffic.”
He nodded and slid out from his side of the booth at the same time as I did. We were similar in build and I was only slightly taller than him. I could feel eyes on us as people recognized who we were but I hoped no one tried to stop us or drew more attention to us. The last thing I wanted was to be battling a bunch of fans or even haters before I got home.
We got to the front door and I thought we were in the clear. I relaxed slightly and started to joke with Chris as he opened the door. A group of women of one hue but with the same color blonde hair entered the restaurant. The only variation being where their platinum pieces were placed. I stepped back but I could see them glancing at us and I was silently praying that Chris wasn’t one of those light skin niggas that only dealt with snow bunnies. When I looked at him he had a polite mask on his face that let me know his ex had to look like one of these women.
“Hi, handsome.” The boldest one of the group who was wearing the pink version of their same workout outfit. My hackles went up but I tried to move past her with a respectful nod.
“Hello.”
When her hand met my arm my entire body rejected the contact and I had to tamp down the urge to throw her hand off me.
